The 20 beds are proposed for The Mustard Seed's Allowance Avenue Southeast location. File Photo/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

CITY HALL

Mustard Seed’s homeless shelter request comes before City of Medicine Hat today

Jan 15, 2025 | 8:23 AM

The Mustard Seed’s contentious request to add 20 temporary shelter beds to its North Flats location will come forward for consideration at a city hall meeting today.

—

READ: Enraged Medicine Hat residents share frustrations over Mustard Seed

—

The City of Medicine Hat’s Municipal Planning Commission will consider a development permit “change of use” request from the non-profit to change its zoning so that it can provide overnight shelter.

SMALL BUSINESS

Business owners in Medicine Hat's downtown unite over challenges, blame city

2h ago

CITY HALL

Mustard Seed's homeless shelter request comes before City of Medicine Hat today

5h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Nominations open for annual honorary Medicine Hat College degree

22h ago

The changes to the Allowance Avenue Southeast site up for approval has received backlash from members of the public and the business community frustrated by what they say is worsening behaviour by those who use The Mustard Seed’s services.

The organization’s CEO James Gardiner said at a town hall last Wednesday that, if approved, the site would offer the overnight shelter until a new location is finalized.

The city’s planning commission takes care of land use planning matters and can recommend actions to city council. It’s made up of a combination of council representatives and other officials, as per the norm in municipalities across Canada.

Coun. Andy McGrogan is the commission’s current chair. Coun. Shila Sharps is the other member of council on the body.

While there isn’t an assigned time for the public to speak at the open meeting, the commission could decide to let people speak anyway.

The meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall. Medicine Hat will not provide a live stream.